Area airports land $172 million in job-saving federal aid

Airports in the region are poised to pick up more than $172 million in emergency assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration, funds geared to make up for lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In total, the FAA plans to disburse nearly $900 million to 129 airports statewide struggling to pay salaries and bills with flight traffic down at least 75%, according to a report in The Center Square Florida, a state news service. Some airports in the region are looking at a 90% drop in passenger traffic.